How to Find the Right Web Design Company? This Is What Professionals Do!

If this year has taught us anything it’s that a website is essential for running a business, any kind of business. That website design, however, can make or break your success. In a highly competitive business landscape, website design is a huge factor in what makes your website stand out from the crowd. An effective website takes planning and precision design. From concept to creation, your website needs to offer your audience an experience that puts you head and shoulders above the competition. This entails ensuring it has an eye-catching design, an interesting layout, an easy-to-use interface, and offers the best possible user experience. But, to have a website that meets all these design requirements, you have to work with the right web design company.?

The process of finding a good web design company can be a challenge since there are so many of them out there. Though the task may seem daunting, you need to be selective and make sure that the company you are considering working with can offer the best solutions while understanding your business and its goals. Start with some reconnaissance work. Perform online searches to find web design companies in your area and ask professional peers for references. Start making a list of websites you like, whether they are in your industry or not, and find out who built each of your favorite sites.??

Once you have a concise list of possible web design agencies, take the following steps to ensure you choose the right partner for your project.

Research the company

The web design agency you choose to build your site will truly hold the future of your company in its hands, so it’s important to choose a company that is well-established, experienced, and trustworthy, with an excellent reputation and a demonstrated expertise in web design and related skills such as web development, SEO, and digital marketing. Visit the website for each prospective web design agency to see how long they’ve been in business, what services they provide, and what level of experience and specific skills their team members offer. Also, check the website for customer testimonials or case studies, and read reviews on third-party sites such as Google, Facebook, etc.

Check out some of the websites they’ve built

Many web design firms will have a portfolio section on their website so you can easily see some examples of their work. Review these samples with the following questions in mind: Are the websites they've developed professional-looking and easy to use? Does their website design seem to span the gamut in terms of style, or do the sites look like they’ve been built from a template? Do their featured clients seem comparable to you in terms of size and scope? Do the sites have the functionality you'll require for your own site? Are there examples of websites in your industry?

Determine your compatibility

When you hire a web development company, you are hiring a technology partner. This partner will likely be part of your business for many years, given you are happy with their service. And that’s the rub. Spending a little extra time on the front side can save your business a lot of money and more importantly, a lot of time. Moving a website from one provider to another can be costly and time-consuming.

Get to know who you are hiring for this long-term relationship. While the quality and efficacy of their work is surely a consideration, find out what they value, how they work, and how they treat their staff. And while credibility and trust are also important traits, it’s also kind of nice if you like them.

Emphasis On User Experience

User experience is the key metric to ascertain the quality of your website. Even if you do pass the .05-second test, you are far from guaranteeing conversions. Your web design must emphasize your web content if you are to ensure online success. Design is more than the structure and functionality of the website. There has to be an actual substance that entices the visitor to convert into a buyer. When looking for web design companies to partner with, pay close attention to the level of content they typically deliver.

You can assess their quality by observing how deep they are willing to dig into your niche, the level of industry research they have done prior to meeting you, and how they plan to cater to your target audience. The content has to sit well with the design, and you should be wary of agencies that only prioritize appearance over the content.

Make a list of must-haves for your website

Having a list of non-negotiables before you start talking to agencies will make the vetting process much easier, prevent you from forgetting any priorities during the sales process, and help you quickly narrow down your list of prospects to just the ones that check every box. In addition to basic requirements (i.e., WordPress experience, responsive design, ability to integrate with third-party systems, specific functionality such as online payments or registration, etc.), create a second wish list for things that aren’t deal-breakers but that might make you lean toward one agency over another (i.e., logo design, secure hosting, content creation, ongoing digital marketing, experience with print design, etc.).

Do They Offer Ongoing Maintenance and Optimization Services

Building a website is hard work but just as much effort goes into maintaining and optimizing it. For businesses that employ a digital marketing team, this might be negligible. For small and mid-size businesses (SMBs) you can find a long-term partner in your web design company. Web design professionals who know what they are doing would happily prolong the engagement through ongoing optimization and performance-measuring services. Choosing the best web design company for your website isn’t going to be quick, but finding a good team of designers is actually worth the wait.

Conclusion

Choosing your web design agency isn’t a quick decision. Take your time (or as much as your timeline allows) to vet web design firms for your company and project. Your website is the first impression a potential customer will have of your brand and business – it’s worth the research to find a web partner that will help you achieve your online goals. Using these tips for searching for a web design partner can allow you to create a website that not only looks great but is also optimized for conversions to help your revenue soar.